Housing help needed

By Nefertiti Matatia 01 March 2018, 12:00AM

A father of two needs assistance. 

The unemployed Sausi Fineaso, from Sale’imoa, can only dream of a better home and a bright future for his children.

For five years, he’s been living in his Samoan fale made out of plywood, with its roof leaking when it rains and decaying posts. 

Mr. Fineaso says this has made him fear for the lives of his two-year-old and one-year-old children.

“We may not have all the wealth in the world, but we always work hard so we can have a stable life. We live in a small Samoan house because it’s the only house that we can afford,” he said.

“The wall of my home is made out of plywood, it was the only material that I found lying around and I used it to fix my house with. Plywood is easily ruined when it rains and it decays quickly,” said the 34-year-old.

“Where we are living right now, whenever there are heavy rains it becomes really muddy and so many mud puddles are created, which becomes a health concern. 

“The water comes all the way from the road to my house. It collects debris and stores it right below our house and one thing is certain it causes my children to become ill,” he said.

There are more than 10 people in his home. He lives with his in-laws, his wife has nine siblings and they live together. Their kitchen is not safe for cooking. 

“Our kitchen is one of the problems that we have, it is very unhygienic. As you can see, we place anything that is heavy to hold the roof of our kitchen down, we cannot afford any nails, so we put our broken bikes up there together with rocks.

“We have food but the problem is where we make the food, it is dirty and the flies are everywhere.”

Only his parents’ in-law work in their family.

He shared with the Village Voice team that their toilet is their biggest health concern, and money is the only solution to replace the pipelines. But he struggles to earn money because Tropical Cyclone Gita ruined their plantation.

“Our toilet needs fixing, the pipe that is connected to the septic tank has been affected by the floodwaters as well. When there are heavy rains, the pipe leaks and the waste would overflow.

“But it is my responsibility to fix the problem. I can’t just leave it like that. I feel for my children.

This is a recurring problem, especially during torrential rainfall. 

“We wanted to get gravel and pour it around where we live to avoid the dust from entering our home, but having no money is always the problem.

“I have so many needs, but they all become wishes because I cannot carry out the tasks that I have in mind. Sometimes I just feel sick from the dirt and the smell of the rubbish that are being carried to our house by the floodwaters.

“My main concern is for my children’s health and safety. I want a stable house where we can find refuge and not have to worry about anything.”

Mr. Fineaso says they have a new house which is being half done because of financial constraints.

“We are currently working on another new house for our family and we are looking for possible ways to receive help to complete our home.

“For five years we have been living here and it took us a long period of time to earn some cash to build a new home, but there is a major delay because there is no money to complete it. This is all for the wellbeing of my children, which is why we are determined to build a new home.

“We have raised the foundation of our new home so that floodwaters will not enter the house.”

For anyone who is willing to help Mr. Fineaso’s family, contact the number 7718657.

By Nefertiti Matatia 01 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>